Haitians living in Millersburg await news of family, friends

Thursday

Since learning Tuesday night about the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that reduced Port-Au-Prince to shambles, the hours have been full of frustration and anxiety.

Native Haitians who came to America to give their three children the benefit of a good education, they existed amidst the television reports Wednesday and non-stop calls from friends, in body only.

"It's body that is here. My heart, my soul are in Haiti," Roro said.

It's especially exasperating for Roro, who founded Haitian Christian Outreach 25 years ago. HCO missions in Port-Au-Prince include educating 2,500 children in five schools, two medical clinics, and the establishment of a church. Both he and Marie have extended family in Haiti who they have yet to hear from. The church, one of the schools and a clinic are two story structures, similar to those shown destroyed on TV.

Tuesday night is Bible study at the church, and a literacy program for 70 adults also was under way at the time of the earthquake, Roro said.

Roro was due in Haiti on Wednesday, with a flight from Columbus booked for that morning. The flight was canceled Tuesday night, and the earliest he can get a flight now appears to be Jan. 21.

The images on the TV shift between footage of dazed Haitians walking past flattened structures, the injured lying on cardboard boxes or blankets in front of hospitals and United Nations troops picking through the wreckage. Roro's despair multiplied when he saw some of Haiti's best built structures, including the presidential palace, destroyed.

The neighborhoods are familiar to the Eustaches. Some of the images are of buildings near a residence they keep in Port-Au-Prince, where Marie's cousin and family were staying. Not knowing their fate is a burden that goes beyond words.

"The worst thing to see is the buildings that have collapsed are so close to our buildings," Marie said. "It makes it so hard."

It has been a trying time for their three children as well. Since they were young, son Karl and daughters Kimberly and Kendra have helped with HCO, interpreting Creole to English for visiting medical professionals.

Kimberly, who just finished pre-med at Kent State, was first to call home, bringing news of the quake. Karl, at sea with the U.S, Navy, posted a prayer for Haiti on his Facebook page. Kendra, at home on winter break from KSU, is designing posters to solicit aid and put in a call to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.

"(Strickland) wasn't in office. I was pretty hard on the aid I talked to," Kendra said. "He said, I understand. I said, no, you don't understand."

A plea for help is listed on the Haitian Christian Outreach Web site, www.haitianchristian.org.

Roro said he expects a strong response to Augustin's pleas. HCO brought relief to Haiti after last year's hurricane, helping bring seeds to replace crops swept away. He hopes the clinics, if they are still standing, are helping the injured today.

"I wish I was there (when the quake hit)," Roro said. "I wish I could go tomorrow. As soon as I get back, I'm going to work. I don't know what I will be doing. The damage is everywhere."

Reporter Nick Sabo can be reached at 330-674-1811 or e-mail nsabo@the-daily-record.com.

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